Mount Helix home heavily damaged by fire

A two-alarm blaze heavily damaged a large Mount Helix home late Monday night and sent two residents scrambling to safety.

The two awoke about 11:35 p.m. and saw smoke coming from the attic of their house on Ogram Drive south of Grandview Drive. They called 911 and got out, said Leonard Villarreal of the San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District.

Firefighters discovered flames extending through the attic of the single-story, 4,200-square foot house. They requested extra help from Cal Fire, San Diego, El Cajon and La Mesa fire agencies, and got most of the flames under control by 12:30 a.m.

The owner told firefighters a ceiling can-light fixture was smoking earlier in the day, so he cut power to the light and saw no further problems, Villarreal said.

Sheriff’s fire investigators were called in to try to determine the cause of the fire. Damage was estimated at $350,000.

Firefighters worked through the night to overhaul the house and make sure there were no flare-ups in the attic or walls.